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AFTER reading Dr Ali Akhtar’s excellent letter ‘Dual citizenship: an argument’ (Oct 18), I looked up the oaths of citizenship of the United Kingdom and Canada and quote them for information of your readers.

United Kingdom: “I, (name), (swear by Almighty God) (do solemnly, sincerely and truly affirm and declare) that, on becoming a British citizen, I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, her heirs, and successors, according to the law.”

Canada: “I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, her heirs and successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen.”

To a layman like me, it seems pretty simple and straightforward that you cannot have your cake and eat it too. Tall claims and boastful talk apart, those who hold a dual nationality are fair weather Pakistanis only. Once the going gets rough, everyone knows where they will head for.

The Supreme Court deserves to be applauded for its bold and clear-cut judgment in the matter.

Comments (6) Closed

haris

Oct 23, 2012 11:47am

You are allowed to vote as long as you hold a Pakistani citizenship. But unfortunately Overseas Pakistanis would be able to cast their vote because there isn't any system in place in Pakistani Embassies in the foreign land.

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Samad Chaudhry

Oct 23, 2012 06:51am

I do not understand what is the fuss. SC has passed the judgement. A dual national must not stand for any high posts in Pakistan but I still believe strongly that we should be allowed to vote and have a say in the prosperity of Pakistan. We are dual nationals and have full love for our father land.

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observer

Oct 23, 2012 09:58am

Well, by the logic of these oaths, no Pakistani national should be allowed to hold any other nationality. Why is the limit being imposed on elected officials? Do you expect anyone who has taken the above or other nationality oaths to be faithful to Pakistan? By the same logic, no foreign national should be allowed to remain in Pakistan as all non-Pakistanis had taken oath of allegiance to their own country. There is no limit to narrow mindedness and technical fine details. Elected people take an oath after their election. If they are ever caught breaching their oath to office, they stand to be disqualified and punished according to the law. There is no reason in my humble opinion to look at what other oath they had taken. Focus on their oath to office and keep monitoring what they do. Else, the provision in law that allows Pakistanis to hold other nationalities needs to be taken out.

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kdspirited

Oct 23, 2012 03:02pm

agreed!

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Parvez

Oct 23, 2012 07:02pm

I agree with you. This was made part of the Constitution in Z.A.Bhutto's time and the learned people must have seen fit to do so. Today due to political expediency to argue otherwise appears shallow and self serving.

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Haider Bilgrami

Oct 23, 2012 07:56pm

Too Late too little.......Closing the barn doors after all the horses have fled......Just as the tenure is about to end the verdict arrives... whats the use of it all. It is true when they say justice delayedis justice denied.